Air-method cleaner antechamber type



Oct. 10, 1939. REPLQGLE 2,175,647

AIR-METHOD CLEANER ANI'ECH'AIBER TYPE Original 'Filed Dec. 28, 1936 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 10, 1939. o. a. REPLOGLE 2,175,647

AIR-NETEOD CLBKNER ANTECHAHBI ZR TYPE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Originai FiledDec. 28, 1936 Gum;

Oct. 10, 1939. D. B. REPLOGLE AIR-METHOD CLEANER ANTECHAMBER TYPEOriginal Filed Dec. 28, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 10, 1939. B REPLQGLE2,175,647

AIR-METHOD CLEANER ANTE'CHAIBER TYPE Original Filed Dec. 28, 1936 5Sheets Sheet 4 DBL/P5120645 0d. 10, 1939. Q LE 2,175,647

AIR-METHOD 014mm ANTECHAMBER TYPE- Original F'iled Dec. 28, 1936 5Sheets-Sheet 5 1 m1 onk c Patented Oct. 10, 1939 UNITED STATESAIR-biETHOD cmmn m'rsc Daniel Benson Beplorie, Berkeley, war

to The Ohio Citizens Company, Toledo,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio, as trustee Application December-28, 1936,Serial No. 118,013

Renewed August I, 1939 6Claims.

cleaner includes a relatively slender tubular 10 member which houses anair filter. An enlarged extension or casing is attached at one end ofthe slender tubular member and servos as a housing for the suctionproducing means, said casing being provided with discharge outlets atthe end 15 remote from-the air filter housing.

A rotatable floor tool may be removably carried by the body of thecleaner, its outlet pipe being connectedto the power plant casing. Atthe inner end of the tubular filter casing is a cap zo'or ante-chamber,removable to permitemptying the dirt from the air filter or replacingthe old filter by a new one. This cap isprovided with an inlet for dustladen air which communicates with a pipe adapted to be connected to theout- 25 let .pipe of the fioor tool, or to be removed from connectiontherewith and used for cleaning walls, furniture and the like. Means areprovided for locking the cap to the top of thefilter housing or caddywhen the parts are in sweeping 30 position and for releasing the cap forits removal when the parts are in an intermediate position. This lockingand unlocking operation may be accomplished by means of a rotatingmember which is also adapted to serve as a han- 35 die grip for movingthe cleaner to and fro across the floor and for withdrawing the cap.-

Other. features of the invention will be apparent from the accompanyingdrawings and the following detailed description in which are set goforth for the purpose of illustration various specific embodiments ofthe inventive thought, it being understood that such embodiments are notintended to limit the invention to the precise de-' .tailstherein setforth. 45.v In the drawings: f

Fig. 1 is a side elevation ofthe apparatus in floor cleaning position,partsbeing shown in section.

. Fig.2 st. section .on line r-z .of Fig. 1161i a' so lar er wi Figs, 3aand 3b .are plan views of the upp r .and lpwer portions of the cleanerrespectively.

Fi gsiissa detailedview showing the clamping Fig.5 isan enlarged sideelevation of the upper plant includes portion of thecleaner illustratingthe mode of locking and unlocking the cap or ante-chamber 4 from thecaddy.

- Fig. 6. is a detailed view showing the enlarged motor housing with thefloor tool connected 5 .therewith through its outlet pipe.

Fig. 7 is a section on line 1-1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a detailed view of the upper portion of the cleaner showingthe cap or ante-chamber member partially removed from the caddy. 10

Fig. 9 is a detailed view showing the chime ring attached to the top ofthe caddy.

Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are side elevations largely diagrammatic incharacter illustrating the operation of the cleaner.

Fig. 13 is a. side elevation showing a modified form of the cleanerwherein the filter remains within the caddy when the cap isremoved.

a Fig. 14 is a. detailed view of the caddy cap assembly or ante-chambermember/ Fig. 15 is a detailed view showing the mounting ondthe upperportion 0! the air filter within the ca dy. a Fig. 16 is a top viewlooking into the caddy in Fig. 15. v

Fig. 1'7 is a view illustrating the locking and unlocking of theante-chamber member.

Fig. 18 is a side elevation illustrating the mode of emptying the dustfrom thecaddy.

Fig. 19 is a side elevation of another modification.

Fig. 20-is a section showing the interior of the ante-chamber and theupper portion of. the caddy.-

Fig. 21 is a view illustrating the locking and releasing of theante-chamber member.

Referring to the modification illustrated in Figs. 1 to 12- inclusive,the cleaner comprises a caddy or body member including a slender tubeIll serving as a housing for the air filter and a 49 somewhatenlargedextension ll serving as a casing'for the power plant II whichserves to produce suction; at one end and a blowing operationat theother. As illustrated the power fans driven thereby. The caddy members.llfand ll may be composed of any suitable light weight material as hardfiber, Bakelite or'aluminum, but

preferably non-conducting materials such as fiber or Bakelite areemployed. 'The joint between 50 the two .sections may be made fluidtight but. separable by shrinking the nipple on the extension memberover the end of the tube II, this being accomplished by soaking andsubsequentlydrying. the nipple where the parts are composed an electricmotor and multiple of hard fiber or hygrometric material, as moreparticularly described in my application Serial No. 97,057 filed August20, 1936.

As shown the extension member II is provided with a pair of laterallyextending outlets l3 to either or both of which extension tubes may beapplied and the device employed as a blower as for example when it isdesirable to blow the dust into close proximity with the fioor tool. Inthe embodiment shown an outlet pipe ll for the fioor tool I5 is formedintegrally with the motor casing as by casting. The floor tool I5 ispreferably reversible and of the double mouth type illustrated in myapplication Serial No. 105,789 filed October 15, 1936, which applicationmay be referred to for details of construction of said floor tool.

At the lower end of the motor casing adjacent the reversible fioor toolthere is provided a casw ing I6, the interior of which may be formed asa reflector which contains a lamp Il adapted to illuminate the floorwhile the sweeping takes place. The lamp is provided with an extensioncord l8 which in turn may be supplied from the g5 cord I! that suppliescurrent to the power plant. Suitable plugs may be provided so as topermit separation of the members 10 and H of the caddy. As shown currentis supplied through a conductor passing through the tube Ill which inturn so is provided with a plug 2| adapted to be attached to anextension cord supplied from the wall socket or the like. Where thetubular members In and II are composed of non-conducting material itwill be apparent that all danger of short circuiting is avoided.

and neat in appearance. .Such a tube is very cheaply constructedparticularly where hard fiber is employed and is adapted to receive ahigh polish. The tube may bereplaced at any time and is readily attachedor detached from the member ll permitting repairs to the motor andaccess to the air filter. Any suitable air filtering and dust collectingmeans may be employed within the tube II but I prefer to use thecombination of an inner paper dust collecting bag 22 and an outerreinforcing net fabric 23 which may be of coarse mesh cloth, wire, orthe like and which serves to prevent direct contact of the inner bagflow of air.

As shown the upper end of the tube III is provided with a cap orante-chamber member generally designated by the numeral 24. In theembodiment now being described the innerbag ,22 is attached to the capor ante-chamber mem-x ber but may be separate therefrom as illustratedin a modification to be later described. The cap or ane-chamber memberincludes a funnel 23 having a reduced neck 26 to which the mouth of thepaper bag is suitably attached in such a manner as to permit readyremoval of the bag and ready replacement of anew bag.

The ante-chamber member or cap may be provided witha transparent top 21to permit viewing the interior and if desired a lamp 23 may be employedfor illuminating the interior. A lower transparent window 23in the wallof the funnel 23 may also be employed. Preferably a netting 7o 33'extends across the interior of the cap to prevent solid particles fromentering the bag. 7

At one side of thecap or ante-chamber is mounted a rotatable L ornipple- 3! which communicates with the interior of the cap and throughwhich dust laden air enters. As shown ,The tubular member In may belight, smallwith the walls of the casing, thus insuring a freeadeflector 32' is provided at the mouth of the nipple and within the capwhich is adapted to impart a whirling motion to the air and particles ofdust entering the cleaner. To the nipple there is attached a tubularextension 33 preferably in the form of a flexible hose having a rigidportion at the remote end thereof which is adapted to serve as a nozzleor as a connection to the outlet pipe ll of the floor tool, theconnection being removable. A wheeled bracket 34 may be connected to thepipe H to serve as a support for the weight of the cleaner, this wheeledbracket acting in cooperation with the wheels at the ends of the floortool. Suitable means are provided for locking and unlocking theante-chamber or cap. The cap is adapted to be locked when the cleaner isin working position and unlocked when it is desired to remove the capfor emptying or replacing the air filter.

As shown the housing Hi is provided with a chime ring 35 at the upperend thereof (Fig. 9) such ring being provided with a pairof laterallyextending lugs 36. The cap member is provided with a loop 31 adapted tofit over one of the lugs. The rotatable nipple or L-member 3| hasassociated and rotatable therewith a clamping ring 38 having a camgroove 39 within which the other .lug 36 is adapted to fit, there beingan opening 40 adjacent the center of the cam groove to permit the lug toenter or to be withdrawn. A handle grip 4| may be associated with theclamping mechanism such grip serving also for moving the cleaner to andfro across the floor and serving also as a, handle for withdrawing thecap when released from the caddy. This handle also serves to lift theend of the hose pipe 33 from its socket in the end of the floor tooloutlet pipe II when the handle is turned downwardly as indicated in Fig.11. A suitable gasket 42 of rubber or the like material is insertedbetween the cap and the top of the caddy, said cap being compressed asthe handle grip is rotated with its cam action. When the lug 36 is atone or the other end of the cam groove the gasket will be tightlycompressed and a fluid tight fit insured.

The operation of the cleaner is indicated in Figs. 10, 11 and 12. InFig. 10 the cleaner is shown in working position for ordinary floorsweeping purposes, the handle grip being turned upwardly and the end ofthe suction pipe 33 being inserted in the door tool outlet pipe. Thecleaner may be drawn to and fro across the floor to perform the ordinarysweeping operation.

In Fig. 11 the handle grip has been moved to the downward position andthe tube 33 may then be employed withsuitable extension tools forcleaning walls, ceilings; furniture and the like.

When it becomes necessary to'remove the cap for emptying or replacingthe cleaner bag, the

handle grip is moved to a position intermediate 00 the two positionsshown in Figs. 10 and 11 as ,illustrated in Fig. 12. This permits thelug 33 to be withdrawn through the opening 43 in the cam groove. Thecleaner bag may then be separated from the ante-chamber or cap memberand replaced by a new bag, the old one being destroyed together with thecontents thereof.

The arrangement shown in Figs. 13 to 18 inelusive is similar to theembodiment previously described. In this form however the L-member -3la.is located below the cap instead of at one 'side as in the previouslydescribed embodiment.

In this modification the dust collector is shown as adapted to reminwith the caddy when the cap is removed. Any suitable form of dustcollector may be employed but as shown such dust collector 50 and anouter L-member 3 lb is extended as at 60' to form a suc-' tion handle towhich the flexible tube 6| is attached, said tube/serving as a cushionin the event the cleaner is dropped, so as to prevent breaking of thehandle. A hook or the like 62 attached to the filterhousing may beemployed for holding the flexible tube. It will be apparent that thelower end of the flexible tube is adapted to be applied to or removedfrom the socket'at the end of the floor tool outlet pipe in the mannerpreviously descr'bed and the cleaner may be used either for floorsweeping purposes or-for cleaning walls, ceilings, furniture and thelike.

The invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration but it will be apparent that many variations andmodifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

For example, it will be obvious that various forms of floor tools maybeemployed with the apparatus, as substitutes for the one hereinspecifically illustrated, suitable types being shown for example in myPatents Nos. 1,167,219 dated Jan. 4, 1916; 1,345,550 dated July 6, 1920;1,994,868 dated Mar. 19, 1935, and in Replogle and Queen Patents Nos.1,994,872 dated Mar. 19, 1935; 2,012,287 dated Aug. 27, 1935; 2,017,770dated Oct. 15., 1935. Moreover the tool herein illustrated may beemployed with suitable waxin and polishing'attachments as set forth inmy Patent No. 2,051,058 dated Aug. 18, 1936. Where a tool is employedhaving a stub outlet pipe and an oblique joint permitting reversal ofthe tool, the stub pipe may be attached to the pipe l4, permittingremoval and replacement of the tool as illustrated forexample in myapplication Serial No. 56,384 filed December 27, 1935, now Patent2,146,763, ,and in my application Serial No.

coarse mesh material such as l 3 95,414 filed Aug. 1, 1936. Wheneverdesired one floor tool may be substituted for another. This may bereadily accomplished where the floor tools are made removable andinterchangeable as contemplated in my various patents and pendi gapplications.

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner, an air filter adapted to be connected to asource of suction, a housing for said air filter, a removable cap forsaid housing, an air inlet pipe section carried by said cap and movablerelative thereto, and means actuated by movement of saidpipe sectionrelative to the cap for'locking' or unlocking said cap with reference tothe housing.

2. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 1, wherein the air inlet pipeis mounted at one side of the cap.

3. In a suction cleaner comprising an air filter adapted to be connectedto a source of suction, a housing for said air filter, a removable capfor said housing, a handle grip portioncarried byv said cap and movablerelative thereto, and means actuated by movement of said handle griprelative to the cap for loc g said cap to said housing; the improvementwherein the handle grip portion is hollow and serves an an inlet fordust laden air entering the housing. I i

4. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 3, wherein a suction pipe isconnected to said hollow grip member at one end and the other end isconnectible with a floor tool rigidly connected to the body of thecleaner.

5. A suction cleaner comprising a housing containing an air filter,adapted to be connected to a source of suction, a floor tool rigidlyconnected .to said housing, 'a suction pipe communicating at one endwith said air filter,-and a movable handle connected to the suction pipewhich handle in one position permits the suction pipe to be connected tosaid floor tool and iii-another position serves to withdraw the pipe endfrom communication with the floor tool.

6. A suction cleaner as set forth in claim 5, wherein the housing isprovided with a removable cap having an inlet for dust laden-air fromsaid suction pipe, said handle being carrledby said cap, and meansactuated by movement of said handle for looking or unlocking the cap'toor from said housing.

DANIEL BENSON REPLOGLE.

